Kyrgyz's Backcountry Kingdom

Skiing in Kyrgyzstan? I am sure many of you don't know there is such thing as skiing in Kyrgyzstan. And I am more than sure that you don't know where Kyrgyzstan is either. Kyrgyzstan is a rugged Central Asian country along the Silk Road. Landlocked and mountainous, that's how this country with a unique snowpack and nomadic culture and traditions can be best characterized. Although it might be quite a cultural shock for some, the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic tribes are down-to-earth people and you will be literally stoked here; not just by skiing.

Five years ago I met Ryan Koupal and Ptor Spricenieks, who jumped on the idea of Backcountry skiing and experiencing local yurt life as it was 100 years ago. As crazy as they are, not only they made it but also established 40 Tribes Backcountry Adventures, a guiding operation based in Kyrgyzstan in 2010. And that got us get things moving. Inspired by the 40 Tribes crew, the best backcountry adventure providers in the universe, we founded Kyrgyz Tours.

Mind you, we are heading back to the hundreds of years back, traditionalizing the whole backcountry thing here. Horses instead of snowmobiles, living with families in their yurts (a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia; editorial note) not in five-star hotels with swimming pools on the terrace. Our own fitness, skis 15m wide and climbing crampons are our chairlift. It doesn't matter whether you are using SnowCat or a helicopter because the best skiing starts when the engine stops! But when I think of it, it's stupid to compare a helicopter with your own legs; those are two different things.

So forget the helicopter, forget SnowCat. Instead, think of skiing every day as much as you can, enjoying the simple life. Felt houses constructed from way too many wooden frames covered by a large felt mat with a wooden stove inside will give you top coziness every day. Endless pow days, playgrounds with lines that had only existed in your head are real thing here. And all of it makes you want more. More lines, more new adventures.....

Every time when majority of our friends had to change skis for their bikes, leaving their snow dream lines for next winter, we restlessly push our passion further and higher up in the steppes. It's our passion to find and enjoy the most memorable moment of our descent and unity with the mountains.